Merlin brings gas servicing in-house

Published by Hywel LLoyd for Merlin Housing Society in Housing

Merlin Housing Society has brought its gas servicing team in-house as the first part of its ambitious growth plans for the next three years.

The service had previously been provided by contractors PH Jones, whose staff were based in Merlin’s offices. But now the society has decided to run the £1m annual gas inspection and repairs contract itself.

All ten of PH Jones’ Merlin team have transferred to the housing provider and the team will grow in the future as Merlin has plans to enhance the service and take on new apprentices. But from the start of the month, all annual safety checks and heating system repairs have been carried out by engineers wearing Merlin shirts and driving Merlin vans.

Head of Contracting Services Peter Carnegie said: “We delighted to now be providing residents with the gas inspection and repairs service ourselves. We believe that going forward we will be able to provide our residents with an enhanced quality service over the good level of service they’ve always received, while saving money as well.

“It expands our areas of expertise and is the first step to driving the growth of our repairs and improvements side of the business over the next three years. It also means that we have increased the number of people we employ - we’re pleased that all the PH Jones staff agreed to transfer to us, as it means residents will continue to speak to the same people on the phone and see the same people in their homes checking their appliances.”

Over the next three years Merlin plans to grow its business and increase its housing stock. It has already started this work with the acquisition of 33 properties from Magna Housing Group at the end of May.